Bhubaneswar: The Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department has come up with a policy to provide equal opportunity to transgender persons.
The policy was notified as per the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and rules framed under the Act.
As per the policy, the Department would provide equal employment opportunities, without any discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, sexual orientation, colour, disability, marital status, nationality, race & religion, in its all offices.
The Department will strive to maintain a work environment that is free from any harassment based on above considerations. It will also ensure that the work environment is free from any discrimination against transgender persons.
Further, it will take all actions to ensure that a conducive environment is provided to transgender persons to perform their role and excel in the same. The SSEPD department will build systems and processes to ensure that the transgenders will not be discriminated against in terms of any position, training, promotion, transfer posting level.
The policy further says that the Department would provide necessary facilities and amenities will be provided to transgender persons to enable them to effectively discharge their duties in the Department.
One officer will be designated as complaint officer for redressal of complaints/ grievances of such persons. The complaint officer will enquire into the complaints received within 15 days from the date of receipt of such complaints.
The head of department will take action on the enquiry report submitted by the complaint officer within 15 days. If action has not been taken in accordance with the time limits, the department will take action.
“That no opportunity is denied to transgender persons, merely on ground of sexual orientation. Transgender persons should contact the complaint officer in any given location. Any information obtained is voluntary, will be kept confidential, and will be used in accordance with applicable laws,” it says.
Any employee who violates this policy, or in any manner discriminates with any transgender persons, or renders any harassment to such person, action will be taken under the code of ethics as prescribe in the service rules.